Watch your back Tiger Woods, there's a kid from the block on this side of the Atlantic just itching to kick your butt!

Watch your back Tiger Woods, there's a kid from the block on this side of the Atlantic just itching to kick your butt!

The name of Jonathan Gray is unlikely to lead to the world's No 1 losing any sleep, but the rookie professional from Wearside Golf Club is determined to tee up in the second major of the year and make a big impression.

The 21-year-old only joined the pro ranks last September after a successful career in the amateur ranks and even though he failed at the first hurdle to secure his playing card on the European tour, he is certainly not lacking in the confidence stakes.

And he has made more than a useful start among the big boys. He has enjoyed two finishes in the top 20 and a top ten finish in four paid events with his latest pay cheque of #1,000 proof that he has the ability to compete and earn a living from the golf circuit.

Jonathan is oozing with confidence and the fact he has the added bonus of generous sponsorship to help meet travel, accommodation and day to day expenses should prove invaluable as he strives to make his mark.

Introduced to the game by his father Dave, (a five handicapper), when aged only eight, Jonathan was pulled a staggering 18 shots after his first competition at his home course South Shields. He scored 59 points off a handicap of 48 and by the time he was 15, he was playing off three.

He won England Schoolboy honours, the Durham County Schoolboys championship, the County Under-21 Match-play championship and Strokeplay title in the same year and was a regular in the Durham County side where he teamed up with former Wearside colleague Jim Dryden in the foursomes.

But his dream has always been to turn professional and qualify for the European tour, not that his first venture went according to plan last September.

"I missed the cut in the qualifying event at Wynyard Hall by one shot," said Jonathan. "The top 21 qualified for the final stages in Spain and effectively one bad shot in the four rounds cost me dearly. I had rounds of 72-72-71-74, a quadruple bogey in the final round proving costly.

"But I was in South Africa for three months only to hurt my shoulder. I had qualified for the South African Masters but I had to fly home for treatment and that was a big disappointment because I know I could have done well out there.

"Local lads Graham Storm and Ken Ferrie have recently joined the European tour and they have proved they can compete at that level and I?m pleased that Justin Rose is beginning to fulfil his potential. I have practised many times with him when we were preparing for amateur tournaments and I've felt if he can do it, so can I.

"In my first year at Wearside I was only 15 when we won the First Division of the North Durham League and the Clark Cup and I was off a handicap of plus 2 when I decided to turn pro. The members at the club are not too pleased though when we go out for a game and I play off scratch!

"When I am not out on the course playing, I practice anywhere between six and eight hours a day but everything I am doing this year is geared to qualifying for the European Tour in September.

"In the meantime I am off to America and I will be doing my best to qualify for the US. It's no use if you don't have confidence in your ability and I believe if can do it, why not me?"

Sponsored by Graphics International and Nor Clean (Jarrow) with additional sponsorship from Wearside club member Roger Brooks and Metal Spinners, Jonathan could do well to heed the advice of his club professional Doug Brolls.

The former Scotland Boys champion also yearned for a crack at the big time but when a major sponsor pulled the plug, he was forced to turn to the other side of professional golf, running a club shop.

"I was 18 when I turned pro and had four years playing," recalled Doug Brolls. "But a sponsorship deal fell through and I had to look at other options. It was very disappointing and it was more through necessity that I took a job in a golf club shop.

"Jonathan is fortunate in that he has sponsorship backing and he has started off very well. He is a confident young lad, perhaps a bit too confident at times, but that might not be too much a bad thing."